Hot tubs are a soup of faecal matter, urine and sweat which can cause red eyes, diarrhoea and BOILS on the body
THERE’S nothing quite like sinking into a bubbling hot tub, drink in hand and ready to soak away the day that’s been.
And while the thought of a boozy night under the stars submerged in warm water is appealing to most, there are some very alarming dangers associated with a seemingly innocent dip.
Like with anything around your home and garden care has to be taken to maintain its cleanliness as things like faecal matter, urine and sweat are commonly found lurking beneath the water.
Hot tubs are also a breeding ground for bacteria, which is not only stomach-churning, but could lead to some pretty serious health conditions if not taken care of.
The water in hot tubs is generally kept at between 30 and 35 degrees, close to body temperature, which means it isn’t hot enough to kill off any bacteria they might find it’s way inside.
So if you’re considering buying one, or have one already, you might want to think twice before jumping in.
What are the risks?
Paul Abbott, a senior water treatment consultant at Hydrochem UK, warns against the potential dangers of hot tubs if not looked after.
He told Gazette Live: “Most of the time people are buying or hiring a hot tub without realising the dangers that are associated with them.
“The bubbling water which is kept at a high temperature puts high demand on the hot tub’s filtration system which can lead to a rise in bacterial growth.
“Inadequate water quality management can put hot tub users at risk of illness, including Legionnaires’ disease which can be potentially fatal.”
Professor Nick Phin, head of Legionnaires’ Disease at the Health Protection Agency also warns against the risk of Legionnaires’ disease, saying that hot tubs are an ideal environment for the bacteria to grow.
When urine and other waste, such as sweat, mixes with chlorine, it creates an irritant called chloramine, which is what causes red, stinging eyes when swimming.
Paul Abbott
According to the BBC, people aged over 50 are more likely to be affected, and also those with existing health problems, particularly lung damage, and smokers.
Paul added: “If your immune system is OK then you don’t tend to get it,” but says, “they can cause other diseases as well”.
Regular hot-tub use can also increase the risk of a Pseudomonal infection caused from the amount of skin that is shed in hot tub, which can also lead to some people getting boils appear on their bodies.
This is usually contracted by breathing in mist from water that contains the bacteria – and with bubbles blasting and water spraying non-stop, it’s highly common.
What’s worse is that the bubbling and frothing of the aerosols in a hot tub can then throw the bacteria into the air contaminating the area around the tub – so you don’t have to be sitting in the hot tub to inhale the bacteria.
What bacteria can form?
Bacteria can develop as a result of faecal matter and other bodily fluids contaminating the water. The two main bacterial problems in hot tubs are:
Legionella Pneumophila
This is the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease and thrives in water between 20-60 degrees.
It’s a severe form of pneumonia with symptoms including high fevers, muscle aches, tiredness and headaches.
Pseudomonas Bacteria
This bacteria can result in an infection called Pseudomonas folliculitis, or commonly known as ‘hot tub rash.’
It’s an infection of the hair follicles, commonly seen in people who bathe in a contaminated spa or hot tub and comes in the form of itchy bumps and puss filled blisters around the hair follicles.
But that’s not all. As disgusting as it might sounds, when people jump into a hot tub, so does their leftover faecal matter.
Paul says that the average bather has around a gram of faeces in their gluteal fold which then ends up in the water.
And added: “Imagine you have five or six people in the hot tub at once, not a nice thought at all. When urine and other waste, such as sweat, mixes with chlorine, it creates an irritant called chloramine, which is what causes red, stinging eyes when swimming.
“It’s really important to not use the hot tub as a toilet.”
Charles Gerba, Ph.D., a professor of microbiology and environmental studies at The University of Arizona, also confirmed this telling Huffington Post that faecal matter always remains and ends up in the water.
If you happen to swallow a small amount of the contaminated water, you’re at risk of getting an E Coli infection which could lead to problems such as diarrhoea, stomach cramps, or nausea.
What you should do
Paul said that you always read the safety instructions and be sure you familiarise yourself with adequate cleaning protocols to ensure the hot tub remains free of bacteria and germs.
He said: “Before using a home hot tub it is vital that people familiarise themselves with the safety instructions in terms of treating the water and using the correct type and amount of chemicals.
“We would recommend that the water be tested daily with chemicals and treating with appropriate sanitisers to ensure that balance is kept right.”
But he also said that “most pools and tubs use chlorine or bromine, which have links to causing asthma and can be carcinogenic” so care must be taken .
Top tips when using a hot tub:
- Always make sure the water is clear and not murky .
- Don’t use the hit tub for more than 15 minutes at a time as staying or bathing in hot water for a long time can cause severe heat-related illnesses, such as nausea, dizziness or fainting.
- Don’t allow children. They have a different body temperature regulation system and can’t cope with the heat
- Don’t exceed the maximum number of people permitted as this can put strain on the tub and chemical and filtration system
- Don’t eat, drink or smoke in the tub as food and drink are potential nutrients for bacteria
- Shower before and after using the hot tub and dry your ears to prevent infection. Hot tubs and spas can harbour bacteria that can make you very ill or that can even be fatal.
Source: Paul Abbott, senior water treatment consultant at Hydrochem UK
He also stressed the importance of always showering before and after using the hot tub.
He said: “hot tub users should be showering before they get in the water and again once they get out to ensure that bacteria isn’t left sitting on your skin which can help to colonise the spa.
Kathy Wakefield a Infection Control Specialist Nurse at NHS Rotherham also said: “If you own a spa or tub, it is essential that you know how to control these bacteria by following your user instructions especially on how and when to clean and disinfect your hot tub or spa pool.”
With Professor Nick Phin echoing that cleaning and maintaining the hot tub regularly is the only way to ensure that bacteria do not concentrate in the water .
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